New Life : A Second Chance

Sarah pursed her lips when she thought of her next plan of action. 

This was an important phase. Crucial, even. If  this failed, then she would have to change her tactic before starting the third phase.

'Sow doubt' was simply her sowing some doubt into the minds of the people in HQ about Kyle's attentiveness to Sayuri. It was more of him being forced to.

Oh, she knew so many novels that these people tend to read. Of how the cold CEO was drugged and slept with the female lead. The latter got pregnant and so forth, so the CEO had to bear responsibility. Eventually, they fell in love.

Hers would have a better twist.

The female lead was her, of course, while Sayuri was the villain. 

She actually had a secret relationship with Kyle that they were going to announce soon, but Sayuri came in the way with her nefarious scheme.

She drugged the unsuspecting CEO, got herself pregnant and he had no choice but to break ties with her so that he had to bear responsibility. Sarah, unable to let him go fully, but forgiving him, starts working here to watch him from a far.

Such a wonderful story. It should be the next best-selling novel, right?

But this was reality. Even better.

First, she will start spreading the news to the ones in her department. Then, naturally, they'll spread it out. Since she had such a good relationship with them, they wouldn't doubt her. Even if some were not sure, they wouldn't dismiss it either.

That was okay.

As long as people talked about it, the matter was achieved. 

Gossip will spread.

Even though there was the unwritten rule in the HQ that no one is to gossip about the CEO, it wasn't like every single person could be monitored. Whatever was said privately, between colleagues in their office, or at the cafeteria - who would know?

Those that were made examples of were foolish enough to say it within the listening vicinity of the CEO. Naturally, Sarah wasn't going to be that silly. If anyone did get caught, who would know where the rumour originated from, right?

The most important thing was … how one was to start the rumour.

It could not be something told but hinted at. 

Sarah smiled. 

She saw the perfect person to start with.

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Rahmah had a whole stack of documents in her hands, carrying them carefully as she headed back to her desk. Just why was she always the one who had to do the photocopying?

There was just so much to copy!

Finding out the latest data was one thing, but some of the oldies in here did not like reading from the computer. So, she had to print them out and photocopy them, bind them and submit the reports each week.

Such a hassle.

Shouldn't this be the job of the grunt person?

Oh, wait. 

She is that grunt person.

She grunted.

Truth be told, she really could have given this task to another but she was the type that liked to do everything from the start, until the finish. Their intern was already so busy since he had to actually help everyone in the department, so what was this small matter, right?

Just as she passed by one cubicle, the person sitting there had gotten up and turned. In that split second before Rahmah smashed right into her, she saw that the girl was clutching something in her hand and her eyes seemed to be slightly wet.

She didn't have much time to think about it as they both went flying.

Well, not literally, but you get the idea.

The papers did get scatters all over.

Rahmah groaned while the other person gasped and started apologizing profusely. The latter immediately went down on her knees to pick up all the papers.

Upon closer inspection, Rahmah noticed that it was the new girl, Sarah.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry," Sarah was saying, sniffing a bit, "I was not paying any attention. This is all my fault."

Rahmah sighed, her anger dissipating quickly. It wasn't like she was truly angry. She was actually just exasperated but upon seeing Sarah bunching down like that and sounding so sad, she felt sympathy for the girl.

The new girl had been really good since she started. She was very helpful, always smiling and doing her best. Rahmah remembered that the girl had looked a bit upset earlier, and she suspected that there had been some sort of incident that upset her.

She was curious, but didn't ask as she thought it was too personal. Rahmah bent down and started to pick up the papers as well, "It's okay. These things happen."

"You're so nice," Sarah said, her lips quivering a bit, "I wasn't careful and you're not having to re-arrange everything. Let me do it, it's the least I can do."

"We can do it together," Rahmah said graciously, "It'll be faster that way."

"But …" Sarah began.

"No buts," Rahmah said decisively, "We're colleagues."

Seeing Sarah nod, but still looking rather dejectedly, Rahmah couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Are you still upset over this?"

Sarah shook her head vigorously, her eyes wide in horror, "No no no no! It's not .. I mean, yes, I am upset over being so careless, but … it's not …"

She sighed loudly, then took a deep breath as she closed her eyes for a second then said with great effort, "I'm sorry. It's just that … I was suddenly missing my boyfriend. I mean, my ex-boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend?" Rahmah asked, her curiosity piqued further. 

Picking up the last few papers and neatly stacking it, "It's nothing. I'm sorry for having my personal feelings affect work. There are some good days, and some bad days, that's all."

Rahmah nodded, "Don't worry, you'll find another one. He was a fool to let you go."

Sarah appeared truly sad then, and mumbled under her breath, "It's not like he wanted to."

Rahmah was surprised at that, and asked, "What was that you said?"

Sarah jerked, as if in surprise, "Oh, nothing. Just asked if this is correct?"

Rahmah checked the pile Sarah had done and nodded, "Yes, thank you."

Sarah smiled back, though Rahmah could see the sadness still. Just as she picked up the pile that Sarah had done, her eyes noted a picture underneath. Sarah gasped and quickly took the picture, hiding it.

Rahmah pretended not to have seen anything, and just walked away. Still, her heart was beating rapidly.

Why did Sarah have such a picture? It was her, and their CEO!! Not only that, although it was not really a recent picture, it wasn't that old either. Perhaps, a couple of years ago? Around the time the CEO returned and took back his position.

What was really mind-boggling was that in the picture, it looked like the CEO was about to kiss Sarah. The intimate position, the way he bent down towards her ... it was obvious. 

This was hot news indeed!! 

Sarah watched Rahmah leave, a smile on her face.

Now, all she had to do, was wait.